What is RPL?
RPL stands for Recognition of Prior Learning. It is a way for you to
use your past experience and your skills to get a recognised
qualification that will improve your job opportunities, boost your
CV and could help your career to take off. All without having to go
back to school!
You may have learned skills from work, from previous informal
courses or through volunteering: you've been developing skills all
your life and, if you can provide evidence of them, then you're well
on the way to getting a qualification.
Many people are unaware that you can actually enrol in an
'Assessment Only' pathway instead of completing a student training
program.
All active dive instructors are eligible for Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) to gain national accreditation. Gaining national
accreditation for the skills you have acquired over your work
experience will enhance your employment opportunities over a wide
range of occupations.
As an active Scuba Diver Trainer you will already be qualified as an
Open Water Scuba Instructor, be current in the provision of O2 and
First Aid and have competencies in elements of Ship Board Safety.
Additional skills such as customer service, sales and marketing,
general administration, operations management and occupational
health and safety are all part of the everyday duties undertaken by
you as a dive instructor. With the skills you have acquired you can
potentially be eligible for RPL to Certificate IV in Trainer and
Assessor or Diploma in Outdoor Recreation with little or no
additional training.
As an RTO (Registered Training Organization) SSI Australia has the
ability to map your recreational scuba diver trainer qualifications,
with all agencies and assess the skills you have developed through
your work experience against competencies available in the Outdoor
Recreation National training package. A ‘Statement of Attainment’
would then be issued for the units you are fully competent in. A
personal training plan developed as part of the process and advice
given on how you can achieve the full qualification.
Recognition of your skills as an active trainer in the marine dive
industry will not only aid in projecting your professionalism it
will also increase your transferability and employability across
industries. So call SSI Australia to find out how you can have your
qualifications and skills assessed now.
Queensland Based Instructors: For information on how to
access your $500 - $1000 government subsidy to have your skills
assessed please visit
www.skillingsolutions.qld.gov.au or call 1300 654 687
